Nucleotide sequence of chick 14K beta-galactoside-binding lectin mRNA.

cDNA for chick 14K beta-galactoside-binding lectin mRNA was cloned and the nucleotide sequence determined. The deduced amino acid sequence and the results of in vitro translation of its mRNA suggest that this lectin does not include any cleavable signal sequence while it exists in extracellular matrix. Comparison of the primary structures has shown that chick 14K lectin includes some regions homologous to those in discoidin I, which is also known to be located in extracellular matrix and lack signal peptide. The results imply some relation between these two lectins in spite of their great phylogenetic separation.